The future home of the Kyneton Women’s Football Club remains unclear after the Riddell District Football Netball League knocked back its application for 2026.
The Wedge-Tailed Eagles applied to join the league for the 2025 season after forming their own club.
The club was started by former players, coaches and supporters from Kyneton Football Club at the end of 2024, seeking a fresh start.
After being knocked back by the RDNFL last season, the Wedge-Tailed Eagles found themselves without a league with other leagues also knocking them back.
Eventually they joined forces with Gisborne’s women’s side as Gisborne-Kyneton United with the side winning the Essendon District Football League division 2 premiership. The side went through the season undefeated.
With that partnership only for one season, the Wedge-Tailed Eagles are seeking to play as a standalone club next year.
In a statement, the club said it was disappointed to share that its application to join the RDFNL had been unsuccessful.
It said there were no reasons provided for the rejection.
“While this news is disheartening, particularly as the RDFNL is our local league and the natural home for our players, families and supporters, we remain incredibly proud of the comprehensive and professional application and business plan we submitted,” the club said.
“Our club worked tirelessly to meet every requirement for entry, including financial sustainability, facilities access, committed playing group and community support.
“Despite this setback, we remain optimistic about the future. We have begun discussions with neighbouring leagues, and we are determined to secure a suitable league for our club and committed playing group.”
President Natalie Korinfsky said that their club was never built on short term wins and we’re building something bigger.
She said they wanted to be a place where women and gender diverse people can enjoy football locally and grow both on and off the field.
“We are committed to finding a league that embraces our vision, and we know we can field a strong, competitive and professional team that upholds the values we’re so proud of.”
Coach Phil Hawkes said many won’t fully understand how strong and united the playing group is.
The club has written to local MPs raising concerns about the continual refusal of the RDFNL to allow the club entry.
In the letter the club said it had concerns about lack of due process, contradiction of strategic priorities, barrier to local participation and ineffective escalation pathways.
They are calling for an immediate review of the decision and processes.
RDFNL chief executive Jordan Doyle declined to comment.
